Dunstan Newsletter
August 18th
Welcome Back!!!!
August 14, 2023
Greetings wonderful parents and guardians,
Thank you for your patience with us during the past few weeks as we put things together after construction in the classrooms and main office/entry! The office furniture arrived and was built on August 2nd - so this put us in a time crunch to get ready!
As you recall from last Spring’s newsletters, this year Dunstan is welcoming a new Affective Needs center to our school. This program provides continuous service for some complex students who begin in elementary school programs and continue to Dunstan and then Green Mountain High School. I believe this is the right community to embrace and celebrate all students, including those with complex social and emotional needs!
We continue to have 20-23% of our student population who are identified as gifted learners and 14-15% who are on Individualized Education Plans. 801 students are currently enrolled and that usually increases by a few after the school year begins. As a result of their commitment to students and effective learning, our staff diligently works to build outstanding, positive relationships with every student so that they feel welcomed and supported at Dunstan. Forming and maintaining positive, supportive relationships is the foundation of our work with all students. Additionally, our staff also provides differentiated instruction to address the variety of learning styles and/or needs.
When you have time, please thank your student’s teachers because they are truly exceptional! They all appreciate hearing your words of gratitude and appreciation!
If you need anything at all, please feel free to email and/or call. It continues to be an honor to serve the Green Mountain community and Jeffco Public Schools!
In partnership,
Jennifer J. Pennell
Our Administrative Team and Office Staff
Ms. Pennell, Principal
Mr. Kitch, Assistant Principal
Ms. Devitt-Haggstrom, Assistant Principal
Mr. Masterson, Dean of Students
Ms. Majeres, Clinic Aide
Mr. Kruschinski, Enrollment Secretary
Ms. Barnhart, Financial Secretary
Ms. Whipple, Office Manager
6th Grade Team
Falcons (downstairs)
Ms. Salaver, Language Arts
Ms. Clark, Mathematics
Ms. Arias, Social Studies
Mr. Rudat, Science
Wolves (upstairs)
Mr. Rohret-Navin, Language Arts
Mr. Johnson, Mathematics
Ms. Waites, Social Studies
Ms. Bohn, Science
7th Grade Team
Pikas (East side of the school)
Ms. Hunter, Language Arts
Ms. Soto, Mathematics
Mr. Romero, Social Studies
Mr. Jordan, Science
Marmots (West side of the school)
Ms. Polintan, Language Arts
Ms. Green, Mathematics
Ms. Boucher, Social Studies
Ms. Fisher, Science
8th Grade Team
Rams (East side of the school)
Mr. Orthun, Language Arts & Media Literacy
Ms. Vandeberg, Mathematics
Mr. Jacobson, Social Studies
Mr. Schick, Science
Swift Foxes (West side of the school)
Mr. Wolfe, Language Arts
Ms. Ivy, Mathematics
Mr. Gordon, Social Studies
Mr. Vu, Science
Our Explore/Electives Team
Mr. Clark, Algebra, Marketing and Design, Math Intervention
Mr. Starkey, Robotics, Computer Programming, and Patriot TV
Ms. Golgart, Computer Programming, Graphic Design, Video Game Design
Ms. Miller, Visual Arts and Ceramics
Mr. Minard - Pre-Engineering and Engineering II
Mr. Estell, Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band
Mr. Conner, Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra
Ms. Bryson, Choir (several levels)
Ms. Leeburg, Physical Education and Smart Fit Girls
Mr. Fabian, Physical Education and Team Sports
Ms. Waterhouse, Mythology, Theater
Mr. Roberts, Spanish
Ms. Bridges, Spanish and World Cultures
Ms. Higginbotham, AVID Readers
Our Intervention Team
Ms. Geerts, Department Chair and Learning Specialist
Mr. Vierra, Learning Specialist
Mr. Landrum, Learning Specialist
Ms. Scharmer, Learning Specialist
Ms. Beach, Social Worker
Ms. Parish, Social Worker
Ms. Blackman, Affective Needs Center Teacher
Ms. Schuler, Social Worker for the AN Center (shared between Green Mtn. HS and Dunstan)
Mr. Gonzalez, Paraeducator, AN Center
Ms. Riley, Para-Educator, AN Center
Ms. Streitenberger, Independent Support Paraeducator
Ms. McCarthy, Independent Support Paraeducator
Ms. D'Amato, Independent Support Paraeducator
Ms. Hyrup, Independent Support Paraeducator
Ms. Pirner, Independent Support Paraeducator
Ms. Hastings, Independent Support Paraeducator
Mr. Eigsti, Para-Professional (Tuesday-Thursday)
Ms. Austin, Para-Professional (Monday-Friday)
Ms. Mulcahey, Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners
Our Mental Health Team
Ms. Pruitt, Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SEL)
Ms. Walker, 6th Grade Counselor
Mr. Cole, 7th Grade Counselor
Ms. Baker, 8th Grade Counselor
JCMH Therapist - still open - not yet hired and assigned by JCMH
Tuesday, August 15th
- 6th Grade 1st Day
- NO BREAKFAST Served this day
- YES Lunch Served
Wednesday, August 16th
- First Day ALL students
Friday, August 25th
- Picture Day for all students and staff
Tuesday, August 29th
- 5:00 PM: Back to School Open House
Monday, September 4th
- Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)
Parent Drop-off
Dear parents and caregivers,
We thank you in advance for you patience and kindness to all during parent drop-off and pickup. Dunstan is a school with only one main street for drop-offs and pickups and with over 800 students, which presents us with a unique challenge. While this is not ideal, we usually get into a good flow as the year gets started. Some reminders below....
- We are going to continue providing crossing guards at the student crosswalk.
- Make sure handicap spots are properly used and not blocked.
- Remember we are all doing our best as parents, staff, and community members.
Bell Schedules
Helpful Info
Arrival:
- Grade-level entrance doors open at 8:45 AM (see map below for locations)
- Students should use this time to go to their lockers, put things away, and be prepared to start class at 8:55 AM
- Please do not have students arrive earlier than 8:35 AM if they are planning to eat breakfast or 8:45 AM for students who need extra time to get ready for the day. There will be no supervision for students until 8:35 AM.
Breakfast:
- 8:35-8:50 AM
- Any student who wants to eat breakfast needs to enter through the back cafeteria ONLY
Dismissal:
- 3:55 PM and all students need to be off campus by 4:05 PM
- Adult supervision will end at 4:05 PM
- Please be aware there is no parking on the west side of Wright Street due to student safety and driver visibility, and no parking in the bus loop
School Meals
Dear Jeffco Public Schools Staff and Families,
All students in Jeffco Public Schools will have access to free, healthy and nutritious school meals beginning in the 2023-24 school year thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program approved by Colorado voters.
What Families Can Expect for the 2023-24 School Year
- We encourage all families to complete the HSMA Combination Form. This form will be available on Saturday, July 1. To access this form, you must log in to School Café or set up a new School Café account (you will need an account and may not complete a form as a guest).
- Completion of this form will help with additional education funding for schools and may allow for waivers of school-related fees.
- All household income information provided through the HSMA Combination Form is strictly confidential and protected by law. Please note: Only one form is required for all students in the household.
- Forms will be available July 1. While online forms are preferred, paper forms will be available at the Food & Nutrition Services office located at 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and also at your student’s school.
- Additional meals or a la carte items may be purchased by a student using cash or their School Café account.
- Contact Katie Jeter, Director of Resources, Food & Nutrition Services at 303-982-6879 with questions about applications.
What Meal Service Will Look Like in the 2023-24 School Year
- Students will go through the line and eat in the cafeteria.
- Students will scan their District ID card; middle and high school students’ name badge will serve as their ID card. Elementary students will be provided ID cards at their school.
- Menus will be posted on School Café, as well as in the schools.
- On School Café, you may also place restrictions on your student's account regarding what and/or how frequently they may purchase a la carte items.
- Contact Erika Edwards, Director of Operations, Food and Nutrition Services at 303-982-6678 with questions about meal service.
Sincerely,
Jeffco Public Schools
Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan
Welcome back! I am so excited for the 2023-2024 school year. This year, at Dunstan, we are focused on BELONGING. We want to make sure every student, and staff member, feels connected, respected, and included in the wonderful community here at Dunstan. Throughout the year, students will have multiple opportunities to identify a trusted adult in the building. Through this exercise, we would like to ensure that every student has at least one meaningful relationship with an adult in the building by the end of the year. This is such an important part of building, and creating, our community! We will also be utilizing time during the beginning of staff meetings to outreach all students by sending them surprise postcards in the mail. Who doesn't love getting an unexpected surprise in the mail?! Finally, the weekly circles done during Advise are key to creating community. Not only do circles give students a safe space to practice the SEL skills they learn, circles also help students build relationships with other students and staff in a valuable way.
As always, if you have any questions about Social Emotional Learning at Dunstan, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. My contact information is below. Let's have a great year!
Leslie Pruitt, Social Emotional Learning Specialist
leslie.pruitt@jeffco.k12.co.us
303-982-9439
Click the Picture to Access Past Editions of Dunstan's Patriot Post
The Patriot Post is Dunstan's online newspaper established in the 2022/23 school year. Mr. Orthun facilitates the creation of each edition through his Media Literacy elective. The Post is back again this year, and will be better than ever. Clicking the picture will take you to past editions and we encourage you to check them out. Thank you all so much and we hope you enjoy our future editions!
Watch D.O.G.S. M.O.M.S.
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) welcomes M.O.M.S. (Moms of Marvelous Students)!!!
The Watch D.O.G.S. program was established nearly 25 years ago. Moms and mother figures have always been allowed, but the focus has been to purpose fathers and father-figures, not traditionally found on school campuses as much as the moms and female counterparts. The national program recently put out a statement wanting to continue to engage fathers and father figures. But also, to recognize the dedicated commitment of our M.O.M.S. So, going forward, the program wants to recognize and pay tribute to the many thousands of mothers and other guardians, educators, and support specialists who are vital to the success of our students. MOMS, DADS, any parents, guardian, family member - are all welcome and encouraged to sign up and participate. WELCOME M.O.M.S.!!!
As our school year at Dunstan is coming to a close, there are still many spots for Watch DOGS. We'll have next year's sign up genius sent out in the fall before the 2023-2024 school year. There's still time to volunteer this year!!!
Sign up to volunteer between 10:30 am - 12:30 pm to cover lunch and recess on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Lunch/recess is between 9:45 and 11:50 on Wednesdays.
My name is Steve Clayton. Please feel free to email if you have any questions about our program. WatchDOGS is a national program that has been in our local schools for over a decade. You can email Steve at:dunstanwatchdogs@gmail.com
Here's the sign up link:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D44AAAA2AA6F85-dunstan2
If you want to help cover the crosswalk before or after school also, just add that in the comment section of the sign-up genius.
From the Dunstan PTA
Join the PTA
PTA is more important than ever in connecting parents, teachers, and administrators, and supporting critical school needs.
We want as many families to join PTA as possible because we can do more together! We welcome Grandparents and community members to join our PTA as well! Get the word out to as many parents, grandparents, and community members as possible to join and help support Dunstan PTA support your child, teachers, and staff.
By joining the PTA you will help:
Purchase much needed items for the classroom and school such as books, math applications, and computer monitors.
Fund health and safety needs for teachers and staff.
Host special student parties and staff appreciation events.
Joining the PTA will also:
Help to keep you informed with your child's education and provide you an opportunity to suggest changes and help make them happen.
Allow you to be an active part of the community that makes life a little brighter for Teachers, Staff and Students.
Receive access to great information on topics ranging from parenting skills, children’s academic success, suicide prevention and everything in between.
Enjoy discounts at retailers such as AARP, Code Wizards HQ, Gaiam Wholesale, Good Housekeeping, Hertz, Lenovo, MetLife, Office Depot/Office Max, Quicke Loans, Relay.
Meetings and volunteering are not required – though we would love it!
If you are interested in taking a more active role in the PTA, we have the position of Vice President open on the PTA board. If you are interested please email PTADunstan@gmail.com.
Here are the PTA board members for the year:
President - Christine Fielder
Vice President - Open Position
Secretary/Newsletter - Wendy Economou
Fundraising - Susan Adams, Leanna Marsh
Treasurer - Wendy Heywood
Staff Appreciation - Elisharae Waller
Reflections - Joanne Sarazin
Social Media - Susan Fleming
Health and Wellness - Brenda Holcomb
Below is the link on how to join the PTA by making a donation of $20.00:
Save the Date
The first PTA meeting will be held on September 13th from 5:30p-6:30p. Please join to find out what is in store for the upcoming school year. More details on how to attend will be sent out via email the week of the meeting.
Dunstan Community FaceBook Page
Support the School by Shopping at King Soopers
Sign up here - https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards